Folk, Jazz & Poetry

Track Listings

1. Righteous Life - Sergio Mendes

2. Midnight at the Oasis - Maria Muldaur

3. Whishful Thinking - 4hero

4. For You

5. First Day of Summer [#] - Valerie Etienne

6. Everything I Do With You

7. Jesse [Acoustic Version] - Mother Earth

8. Lady Montego

9. Vine of Happiness - Rotary Connection

10. Quicker Than You Know [#]

11. Percolator - Stereolab

12. People Make the World Go Round - Michael Jackson

13. Keep Your Heart Right - Terry Callier

14. Going Home [Acoustic Version]

Tracks:

Cry For Home
Too Long In Exile
Gloria
Help Me
Medley: Lonely Avenue/4 O'Clock In the Morning
Days Like This
Ancient Highway
Raincheck
Moondance
Centerpiece
That's Life
Benediction
The Healing Game
I Don't Want To Go On Without You

Tracks:

Shenandoah
Precious Time
Back On Top
When the Leaves Come Falling Down
Lost John
Tupelo Honey
Meet Me In the Indian Summer
Georgia On My Mind
Hey Mr. DJ
Steal My Heart Away
Crazy Love
Once In a Blue Moon
Little Village
Blue And Green
Sitting On Top Of the Wolrd
Early In the Morning
Stranded

Amazon.com

Navigating Van Morrison's extensive catalog since 1993 is a formidable task even diehard fans might not want to attempt. The Irish icon has flirted with blues, jazz, country, pop, Celtic, and his own style of indescribable into-the-mystic spiritually-oriented poetic folk on his numerous releases, making for quite a thorny culling assignment. So the EMI brass were probably ecstatic when the singer took the job himself. He weeds through a dozen or so albums released since Volume 2's mile-marker, and adds a clutch of previously unavailable mixes, rarities, and live tracks. The result: a nearly two-and-a-half-hour, 31-track double-disc set as sprawling, eclectic, and tenacious as Morrison's vision and discography. From occasionally rambling but spirited duets with veterans Bobby "Blue" Bland, Junior Wells, Georgie Fame, Lonnie Donegan, B.B. King, the Chieftains, Ray Charles, and even Tom Jones to concert versions of hits such as "Moondance" and an impressive take on Sinatra's classic "That's Life," along with hidden gems like "Steal My Heart Away," this is a beautifully assembled and sequenced collection. It presents most of this multitalented auteur's facets and softens his often crusty exterior by showing his appreciation for the journeymen that helped develop the trail that Morrison then blazed in his own distinctive style. --Hal Horowitz

Album Description

The new 2-CD collection, compiled by Morrison himself, offers a comprehensive overview of his later material. The set's 31 tracks include previously unreleased collaborations with Tom Jones and Bobby Bland, as well as duets with John Lee Hooker, B.B. King and Ray Charles.

Customer Reviews:

Great selection.......2007-07-12

I won't call this definitive, but the collection's got some previously unreleased and seldom heard numbers that merit the price and hype. This is a very listenable CD that's something you can just stick in the changer and let it play. Definitely worth the money.

Continuing writers block.......2007-07-10

Despite having most of this already I paid out my money and what did I get? A reasonable overview with some obscurities, one of which "Blue and Green" is worth the cost on its own. While the music is all first class the compiling has created some jarring between tracks. I've always loved The Skiffle Sessions album but Lost John between Leaves Come Falling Down and Tupelo Honey sounds bizarre. Nearly all the tracks he has re-recorded are done better in their original incarnation and one gets the feeling that with this, the movie "best of" and the country abomination Pay The Devil before them that he has nothing to say at present. I love Morrison's music and sincerely hope there is more of it to come, its now been a fair number of years since there has been an album of original material and he is overdue for his muse to return.

The Legend Continues..........2007-07-04

This 'Best Of' is a must for any Vanatic (Van fan)... but more importantly it is a must for anyone who thinks Van's career ended in the 1970s... all the tracks on "Vol. 3" are from 1993-2005 - Van's later writing and singing are well represented on this compilation and with a superb supporting cast of John Lee Hooker, Ray Charles, Tom Jones, Carl Perkins, Lonnie Donegan, Bobby "Blue" Bland and the great Georgie Fame as they come along for the journey...

Van is still a mighty force in a world that needs more soul and less pop.

www.vanmorrisonnews.blogspot.com

Rock the gypsy in your soul.......2007-07-03

An amazing compilation of Van Morrison's enchanting and haunting melodies. Although I am not a big jazz or blues fan, he has managed to put those two elements together in a way that is a lyrical treat. The melodies are addictive and very catchy. As he has matured, his renditions of some of his earlier works are performed now with more conviction, passion, and confidence than ever before. Van is an extremely talented musician and lyricist that successfully impacts music for the ages. I could listen to Van Morrison 24/7.

Ancient Highway.......2007-06-29

Van is his element, you won't hear this almost 9 min track on
any broadcast radio station in the US.
I have quite a few of the tracks on other albums over 60% but
didn't hesitate on this purchase.

Average customer rating:

slice of heaven...
Moondance
polished gems.....
another morrison masterpiece.
MOONDANCE IS A SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE.

Moondance
Van Morrison
Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Rock | Celtic | International | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music

General | R&B | Styles | Music

Blue-Eyed Soul | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

$8.99 and Under | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

Classic Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

R&B | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

Jazz | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

International | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

$8.99 and Under | Prices | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Astral Weeks
Tupelo Honey
The Best of Van Morrison
His Band and the Street Choir
Into the Music

ASIN: B000002KHF
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

And It Stoned Me
Moondance
Crazy Love
Caravan
Into The Mystic
Come Running
These Dreams Of You
Brand New Day
Everyone
Glad Tidings

Amazon.com essential recording

Van Morrison went a long way towards defining his wild Irish heart with his first two classic albums: the brooding, introspective Astral Weeks (1968), and the expansive, swinging Moondance. If the first was the work of a poet, its sequel was the statement of a musician and bandleader. Moondance is that rare rock album where the band has buffed the arrangements to perfection, and where the sax solos instead of the guitar. The band puts out a jazzy shuffle on "Moondance" and plays it soulful on "These Dreams of You." The album includes both Morrison's most romantic ballad ("Crazy Love") and his most haunting ("Into the Mystic"). "And It Stoned Me" rolled off Morrison's tongue like a favorite fable, while "Caravan" told a tale full of emotional intrigue. Moondance stood out in the rock world of 1970 like a grownup in a kiddie matinee. --John Milward

Customer Reviews:

slice of heaven..........2007-06-22

She looked at me with those dark, mysterious eyes of hers and asked me to put on my favorite music. It didn't take but a moment for me to slip in MOONDANCE and so the night only got better from there. Smooth, mellow, rocking, with more soul then a Southern Baptist Church on a Sunday afternoon. No fillers here. Every song with a legacy of it's own. If music is the food of the gods then this one is a gift from the gods. Give it a listen and feel the rapture.

Moondance.......2007-05-03

This album came after "Astral week" I find "Moondance" every bit as good, in fact more enjoyable to listen to. It has a timeless quality about it, and it really dos not sound like it's 37 years old. Overall it has a good fel to it. The first song,"And it Stoned Me",reminds me a lot of the band, and the brass, which is used throughout. The album has a very soulful vibe. On a couple of the songs there's even a gospel flaver ("come running" and 'crazy love"). When he sings"iI want to rock your gypsy soul" in "into the mystic", he makes it sound like tere is nothing mor important in the world. The best moment on the whole album is"Turn it up? Turn it up? Turn it up? a little bit higher" in caravan.
If people listen to the album a few times, the songs will stay with them forever.

polished gems............2007-02-25

Every cut on this album is a polished gem; there are no fillers. "Stoned Me" starts the journey; "Moondance" still retains its sparkle (especially for Libras in October); "Into the Mystic" still haunts.

My personal favourite, "Brand New Day" still inspires me like a reverant hymn. Join Mr. Morrison for a quiet journey that soothes the senses.

another morrison masterpiece........2007-02-13

"and it stoned me," and "into the mystic" are two of the greatest songs of the early 70's in my heart. and the entire album is almost equally as fantastic. after "astral weeks" and "veedon fleece" this is my third favorite van morrison album. music full of emotion, joy and spirit, this should not be missed out on by any audiofile.

MOONDANCE IS A SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE. .......2007-01-24

Readers and reviewers, I will be writing a review on the legendary masterpiece album entitled "MOONDANCE" by one of Rock's most spiritual voices and one of Ireland's favorite son's, his name is VAN MORRISON. "MOONDANCE" was originally released in 1970 on vinyl/LP and 8-Track on the Warner Brothers Records label. I purchased one of the very first releases of this album on Compact Disc and the matrix or ID number is 3103-2. As always, if I hear any new additional information concerning this legendary album, I will edit this review immediately so that you the consumer will get the best informative and most accurate review possible.

VAN MORRISON is a true legend. MORRISON will always be remembered in Rock history as being one of the most gifted spiritual singers of all-time. MORRISON is actually having a spiritual experience while he is singing his songs. He not only sings to you, but he makes you feel the song along with him. U2 frontman Bono paid tribute to his fellow countryman by saying "America has the legendary Jim Morrison, and Ireland has the legendary Van Morrison." I couldn't have said it better myself. VAN MORRISON started his career as lead singer for the 60's Irish group "THEM" and scored international hits in 1965-66 with "Here Comes The Night," "Mystic Eyes" and "Gloria." MORRISON would begin a solo career in 1967 and score a top 5 U.S. hit with "Brown Eyed Girl." In 1968, MORRISON signed with Warner Brothers and released the album "ASTRAL WEEKS" followed by "MOONDANCE" in 1970. "MOONDANCE'S" themes of mysticism, romance and the personal quest are found in classic compositions such as the title track "Moondance," "And It Stoned Me," "Caravan," "Into The Mystic" and "Brand New Day."

Rather than list and describe all the songs in full detail, I am going to descibe one song in this whole album that really tells the full story and personality of this album. If there was ever any one song that makes the whole album worth while and worth listening to, it is the classic song "Into The Mystic." When I listen to this song, it makes me feel alive, and at peace with myself. The soothing mellow music makes you feel like you're home. "Into The Mystic" actually makes you feel like you are having a spiritual experience of joining your whole body and soul with your spiritual being. I love "Into The Mystic" and I hope you will love it too.

I highly recommend this album for those who are really deep into soul searching. This legendary album will stand the test of time and will always be around to be enjoyed and cherished for many years to come, NOW AND FOREVER.

In closing, VAN MORRISON is here to stay. Rock n' Roll needs a great spiritual singer to give Rock n' Roll the spiritual roots and rejoicing sounds it desperately needs in order to keep the spirit of Rock n' Roll alive. In my opinion, VAN MORRISON has accomplished these goals and more. Heres to you Van. And as the saying goes, "AND THE REST IS ROCK N' ROLL HISTORY," am I wrong? Thanks for reading my review and I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it for your reading pleasure. I also hope that you will read all of my other reviews in the near future when time permits. VAN MORRISON RULES. Long Live Rock n' Roll. Rock out always and take it easy. Forever in Rock, John L.

Average customer rating:

Ridiculous Good
IT STILL MAKES ME CRY
The Second Best Album of All Time
yes siree... a MASTERPIECE to say the least!
Should be a 10 --

Astral Weeks
Van Morrison
Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Rock | Celtic | International | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music

General | R&B | Styles | Music

Blue-Eyed Soul | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

$8.99 and Under | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

Classic Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

R&B | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

Jazz | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

International | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

$8.99 and Under | Prices | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

Heroes | Warner Brothers Records | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Moondance
His Band and the Street Choir
Into the Music
Tupelo Honey
Saint Dominic's Preview

ASIN: B000002KAT
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Astral Weeks
Beside You
Sweet Thing
Cyprus Avenue
The Way Young Lovers Do
Madame George
Ballerina
Slim Slow Slider

Amazon.com essential recording

Never mind that Van Morrison is one of the most indelible songwriters of the 20th century--take each album on its own terms. On 1968's seminal Astral Weeks, a twentysomething Van Morrison can be found belting his gospelly, bluesy vocals in just as fine a form as he would be 20 years hence. In the sociopolitical context of the times, the album cried out about such ubiquitous '60s themes as cultural oppression and social upheaval. But it is Morrison's vocal dexterity and passion that maintains such timeless appeal. Take tracks like "Madame George" or "Cyprus Avenue" and you'll find such beautiful mourning, it'll be clear why modern songwriter Sinéad O'Connor once publicly exclaimed: "Van Morrison should be friggin' canonized." --Nick Heil

Customer Reviews:

Ridiculous Good.......2007-07-03

Half the songs on here give me goosebumps. Astral Weeks is probably my favorite Van Morrison album, granted Tupelo Honey and Moondance are a lot more fun, Astral weeks is transcendental. In this album Van seems very in love, nostalgic, or sentimental. Key tracks (really all of them) include:
Astral Weeks- Strong and solid,
Sweet Thing- The strings in this are awesome
Cyprus Avenue- More like familiar Van Morrison
Madame George- It's long, and good. Again and as usual, an awesome arrangement. (for David Gray fans, this is where part of "Say Hello, Wave goodbye comes from)

The other tracks on here are all good, no real dancing numbers, but all the songs are beautiful, the kind you put on a mix CD for a new (or not so new) love. Anyone who considers themselves a Van fan had better own this.

IT STILL MAKES ME CRY.......2007-06-21

I think it came out in '68 when I was a sophomore in high school...shy, insecure, just moved to a new school. These songs became part of my very being, and they will always be a part of who I am. There was just something about Van: the words, the stylings, the chord progressions. His music made my soul scream, and it felt so good.

The Second Best Album of All Time.......2007-06-13

FREE FORM VOCAL STYLINGS

This album rates very highly on many critics list of the all time best. It routinely comes up in the top ten. About 10 years ago, Rolling Stone magazine voted it the second best album of all time, behind the Beatle's Sargeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.

Released in 1968, this is Van Morrison's second solo album. It is 46 minutes long and the sound quality is good, although the music is mixed a little thin.

The Way The Young Lovers Do is the only thing on this album that is anything close to pop song along the lines of Brown Eyed Girl. I am not a big pop music fan, but I like this song. The rest of the album is something completely different.

The rest of the album is some nice music with some interesting playing, mixed really low. It is a mixture of jazz and folk with a little blues thrwon in. There are some interesting bits on flute, vibes and keyboards. But, the music remains just a back drop and is mixed in at a very low volume. The CD comes with a fold out cover that tries to give a historical perspective of the album. Intrestingly, it is pretty subdued and does not rave about the album like the critics do.

Morrison's wild and unstructured vocals are mixed loudly on top of the music. He seems to be always riffing and jamming. He'll be singing along and then he'll jump into a repeated riff, such as "you breath in, you breath out, you breath in, you breath out, you breath in, you breath out, you breath in, you breath out".

I know people are going to get mad at me, insult me and call me names, but I have to admit that I just don't get it. I don't think this is a personal, emotional album, and I don't think it has interesting stories. It comes off to me as an experimental album that didn't quite work.

Music is a very personal thing. People can get really mad when you don't agree with them on music that they really love. They take a low review on thier favorite album as a personal attack. They say nasty things about the reviewer.

To get even, people will mark a review as "hot helpful", like that evens things up. But, a review like this is helpful to buying public that might not know much about this ablum and are thinkging about buying it because of all the rave reviews (that is why I bought it).

Just because certain people love it doesn't mean everyone will. In fact, many people did not like this album. It is the only Van Morrison album not to chart. And you might wonder why Morrison did not do anything like this again. He certainly still had the artistic freedom to do what he wanted, because he had a pretty lose contract from Warner Brothers. What he came up with next, is Moondance, which was completely different. In later albums, Morrison did incorporate some of the Astral Weeks vocal stylings on some songs, but it was much more controlled.

Van Morrison started out in a group called Them. Them had a minor hit with Baby Please Don't Go, and bigger hit with Gloria, written by Morrison. Them was going through changes, so Morrison retired from music for a few years, before coming up with Brown Eyed Girl, and his first ablum, Blowin' Your Mind. He did not approve of the album and withdrew. His manager died, freeing him from his contract, so he was able to sign with Warner Brothers, have much more artistic freedom and came up with this.

yes siree... a MASTERPIECE to say the least!.......2007-05-23

Years and years from now, if the world is still in one piece and the human race hasn't made itself extinct, people and history books will hopefully have long forgotten these vapid, celluloid dolts of today (i.e. see Brittany Spears, Paris Hilton, Justin Timberlake, et al...) and remember and revere such artists as Van Morrison. Well... I guess one can always dream, right? Damn, I am one naive, lost soul! I still believe that it is 1982 and I am asleep, dreaming this all, waiting patiently to wake up. This really has to be some kind of joke right? Anyway, back to the reasons why this CD deserves five stars (actually I would put this one in that rare six-star category if I could).

This saintly, little genius from Belfast has produced some of the most beautiful music ever, in the history of beautiful music. Like Bob Dylan, Van wasn't blessed with a voice a la Sinatra or Tony Bennett. He was a very good guitar player, but he's not even in the same league as say a Jimi Hendrix or a Wes Montgomery or a Al DiMeola, et al... And lastly, his lyrics can't compare with that of Dylan's or even Simon and Garfunkel for that matter. All that being said (and I know that these are some bold words I'm about to pen), I can't think of any one musician that has had as long and as productive of a career as Van Morrison (besides Louis Armstrong of course, but it isn't fair to compare anyone to Pops when it comes to contributions to American music). This cat is something else for sure! I love Miles, and Duke, and Sinatra, and the Glimmer Twins, and I highly respect and enjoy quite a bit of Dylan, Paul Simon, McCartney, et al... But this guy is still doing it and hasn't missed a beat in over forty years now! All I have to say is un-friggin-believable! He hasn't really slowed down since he first started in the early 60's belting out such enjoyable songs as "Baby Please Don't Go", "Gloria", and "Here Comes the Night" to name a few. However, in 1967 after leaving the band "Them" he started getting really serious and his second solo album in 1968 'Astral Weeks' is, to put it mildly, sublime, and magical, and totally unique, unlike anything you have ever heard before or since. A true genius is almost always an artist who is way ahead of their time, and Van was (and still is) a true genius. This album is his crowning achievement, his greatest work which is saying a lot when you consider just how many great albums he has produced for going on five decades now - AMAZING!

I know, I know, this is only one man's opinion, and you may even consider the author of this review a bit... as my Italian relatives would say... PAZZO! However, any lover of good music (no matter what your favorite genre is) should really enjoy this. Van merges jazz, blues, rock, r&b, folk, and a little bit of Celtic music into this one and the results are outstanding. He sings and plays his guitar beautifully. Every song contains placid, poetic lyrics that will melt your heart, especially with the solitary way in which Van belts them out with such ardent fervor and emotion. The other great thing is the band behind the man, the men who helped Van create such magnificent music on this masterpiece are the following jazz greats - Jay Berliner (guitar), Richard Davis (bass), Connie Kay (drums), John Payne (flute, soprano sax), and Warren Smith, Jr. (percussion and vibraphone). They all sound inspired, and it's very difficult to pick out one performance over the others because each one is top-notch. I usually don't like writing no-brainer reviews, but this album has a real special place in my heart. Enjoy!

Should be a 10 --.......2007-05-13

This album doesn't suck.

Buy it. Put it on. Shut up. Listen to it. Don't be afraid to lose yourself (you'll find yourself again).

I'm going to put it on right now.

Average customer rating:

Greatest bargain
Cruisin' Music Extraordinaire
Essential Musical History
$15 is about right
60 classic "Spector" produced tunes + His Christmas Album You'll get your "Phil" here with this awesome 4 CD Set!!!

Back to Mono (1958-1969)
Phil Spector
Manufacturer: Abkco
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

Latin Pop | Latin Music | Styles | Music

Cool Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music

Latin Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Hard Bop | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Teen Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Girl Groups | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music

Baroque Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music

Contemporary R&B | R&B | Styles | Music

General | R&B | Styles | Music

Blue-Eyed Soul | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Country Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Box Sets | Stores | Music

R&B & Soul | Box Sets | Stores | Music

General | Rock | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Classic Rock | Box Sets | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Stax 50th Anniversary Celebration
One Kiss Can Lead to Another: Girl Group Sounds Lost and Found
And I Feel Fine...: The Best of the I.R.S. Years 1982-1987
A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector
Live at Massey Hall (CD/DVD)

ASIN: B000003BDM
Release Date: 1991-11-12

Tracks:

To Know His Is To Love Him - The Teddy Bears
Corrine, Corrina - Ray Peterson
Spanish Harlem - Ben E. King
Pretty Little Angel Eyes - Curtis Lee
Every Breath I Take - Gene Pitney
I Love How You Love Me - The Paris Sisters
Under The Moon Of Love - Curtis Lee
There's No Other Like My Baby - The Crystals
Uptown - The Crystals
He Hit Me (It Felt Like A Kiss) - The Crystals
He's A Rebel - The Crystals
Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah - Bob B. Soxx And The Blue Jeans
Puddin' N' Tain - The Alley Cats
He's Sure The Boy I Love - The Crystals
Why Do Lovers Break Each Other's Hearts - Bob B. Soxx And The Blue Jeans
(Today I Met) The Boy I'm Gonna Marry - Darlene Love
Da Doo Ron Ron - The Crystals
Heartbreaker - The Crystals
Why Don't They Let Us Fall In Love - Veronica
Chapel Of Love - Darlene Love
Not Too Young To Get Married - Bob B. Soxx And The Blue Jeans
Wait Til My Bobby Gets Home - Darlene Love
All Grown Up - The Crystals

Tracks:

Be My Baby - The Ronettes
Then He Kissed Me - The Crystals
A Fine, Fine Boy - Darlene Love
Baby, I Love You - The Ronettes
I Wonder - The Ronettes
Girls Can Tell - The Crystals
Little Boy - The Crystals
Hold Me Tight - The Treasures
(The Best Part Of) Breakin' Up - The Ronettes
Soldier Baby Of Mine - The Ronettes
Strange Love - Darlene Love
Stumble And Fall - Darlene Love
When I Saw You - The Ronettes
So Young - Veronica
Do I Love You? - The Ronettes
Keep On Dancing - The Ronettes
You, Baby - The Ronettes
Woman In Love (With You) - The Ronettes
Walking In The Rain - The Ronettes

Tracks:

You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' - The Righteous Brothers
Born To Be Together - The Ronettes
Just Once In My Life - The Righteous Brothers
Unchained Melody - The Righteous Brothers
Is This What I Get For Loving You? - The Ronettes
Long Way To Be Happy - Darlene Love
(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons - The Righteous Brothers
Ebb Tide - The Righteous Brothers
This Could Be The Night - The Modern Folk Quartet
Paradise - The Ronettes
River Deep-Mountain High - Ike & Tina Turner
I'll Never Need More Than This - Ike & Tina Turner
A Love Like Yours (Don't Come Knockin' Everyday) - Ike & Tina Turner
Save The Last Dance For Me - Ike & Tina Turner
I Wish I Never Saw The Sunshine - The Ronettes
You Came, You Saw, You Conquered - The Ronettes
Black Pearl - Sonny Charles And The Checkmates
Love Is All I have To Give - The Checkmates

Tracks:

White Christmas - Darlene Love
Frosty The Snowman - The Ronettes
The Bells of St. Mary - Bob B. Soxx and The Blue Jeans
Santa Claus is Coming to Town - The Crystals
Sleigh Ride - The Ronettes
Marshmallow World - Darlene Love
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus - The Ronettes
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - The Crystals
Winter Wonderland - Darlene Love
Parade of the Wooden Soldiers
Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - Darlene Love
Here Comes Santa Claus - Bob B. Soxx and The Blue Jeans
Silent Night - Phil Spector and Artists

Amazon.com

Among producers, his name remains the simile of choice. If some hotshot studio whiz emerges in, say, hip-hop, he's inevitably labeled "the Phil Spector of rap." That's quite a statement given that decades have passed since this boy from the Bronx remodeled rock & roll to suit his own visions of grandeur. The story of the girl-group auteur is a fascinating one. Spector composed a No. 1 hit at 17 (the Teddy Bears' "To Know Him Is to Love Him," its title inspired by the inscription on his father's tombstone). By 19 he was head of A&R for Atlantic Records. By the time he was 22, he'd founded his own label (Philles) and was churning out Wall of Sound hits at an unprecedented clip, beginning with the Crystals' "He's a Rebel." The four-disc Back to Mono befits its singular subject in both presentation (the richly annotated booklet includes a piece by Tom Wolfe) and content (60 songs cut between 1958 and 1969, plus the entire classic Yuletide LP A Christmas Gift for You). --Steven Stolder

Customer Reviews:

Greatest bargain.......2007-05-16

A few months ago I ordered this set for only about $20 & it is the best CD bargain I've ever had. This set originally sold for about $75 back in the 90's (glad I waited to buy it!)& I keep wondering why it's so cheap now. (Is Spector not allowed to make money on his music anymore?) It is a BIG set in an LP size box (I store it with my old LPs on my shelf),comes with a great big book printed on high quality paper, comes with the Christmas album & even a button. Only thing not big about this set is the sound quality, it's typical 80s & early 90s thin-sounding CD quality, not exactly what I'd call a wall of sound. Also the book has the lyrics to all the songs except the ones on the Christmas album. So if you can get past the fact that Spector may have killed someone 40 years after these recordings (if he did,how could he? He produced John Lennon's "Imagine" for goodness sake!)this is still some of the 60s greatest music.

Cruisin' Music Extraordinaire.......2007-05-15

When I saw the "Back to Mono" box for 20 bucks, I first thought of the barrage of criticism that greeted this set when first released more than 15 years ago and, in particular, the near universal condemnation of the absolutely horrendous digital remastering that marred what should have been an unbeatable compilation. Then I thought, "So what? I LOVED this music 45 years - AUGH! - ago! This is the background music of my life! And a great collection! And I don't have much of it, vinyl or otherwise." So I bought it.

And yes, the remastering is indeed horrible, particularly when listened to through earphones. But if you can pump this music through a tinny 5-inch speaker, perhaps boosted from a '57 Chevy, it all sounds pretty damn fine. So: don't play it on your audiophile equipment: my vintage boom box does the music all the honor it requires.

And what music. A lot of this stuff didn't chart in the New York metropolitan area, so I'd never heard several tracks, but it's all vintage, no filler, hits and non-hits, lots of Ronnie Spector and the Ronnettes, the Crystals, and fewer, but important, sides from Curtis Lee), Ben E. King, Bob B. Soxx, the Righteous Brothers, the majestic Tina Turner and that sidekick of hers, and, of course, the patented Spector Wall of Sound, complete with timpani, maracas, glockenspiels, strings, horns, full brass section, yackety sax, everything INCLUDING the kitchen sink. On the tree of rock, Phil Spector is a taproot (and Bruce Springsteen the most celebrated emulator/branch).

But let's be serious: these are very basic sentiments, harking back to a very different, much simpler time, before Vietnam, Watergate, and universal irony really invaded our consciousness (the first 29 tracks before the Kennedy assassination). The Spector chronology tracks along through LBJ's "Great Society" and civil rights legislation, Nixon, and the onset of cynicism, skepticism, and the beginning of a much more complicated social and political fabric. Through all this, we underestimate the role this and other top-forty music played in shaping our imaginations: it played, constantly, to GROUPS of people in packed cars, at parties and dances, not to one solitary listener through iPod earphones, shaped romantic vocabularies, taught kids how to say "I love you" and how to rebel against parents who screamed "that guy's no good!" My wife's parents.

In short, this music and its peer recordings helped fill in pieces of our emotional identities. In this set we hear lots of 16 year olds pouring out their hearts into diaries via girl-group doo-wop. From the Righteous Brothers, a more mature, wistful kind of heartbreak with full choirs of strings. And from Ike and Tina, my god - River Deep, Mountain High has enough emotional energy to blow a bank of Marshalls, a clear high-point on a collection of high points.

The 96-page booklet is almost worth the price of the box. I didn't need the lyrics - many of them, goofy, saccharine, maudlin, trite as can be, are grafted into my brain, courtesy of that Chevy speaker - but the photos of those wonderful, innocent, vibrant faces, the essays (one by Tom Wolfe), and the discography are all splendid.

So: if you've ever loved this music - that's a significant qualifier: my kids (all in 20s and 30s) think it's virtually unadulterated corn (with the exception of River Deep, Loving Feeling, and a few other tracks) - forget about the atrocious remastering. (I'll bet Rhino will take care of that, sooner or later, and we'll hear these in gorgeous, layered monaural.) Just buy this now while you can get all four discs, the big booklet, and the huge box for 20 dollars or less. Then boogaloo or slow-dance your baby to these legendary tunes.

Essential Musical History.......2007-05-13

With his name in the news, it is easy to dismiss Phil Spector for current accusations, but you can never deny his place is Rock'N'Roll pantheon of musical touchstones.

This collection is an absolute must have for all those who love great rock and roll and the extras in this box are phenomenal. The booklet documenting these historic recordings is amazing, as are the collection musicians that sat in on these sessions (Sonny Bono, Brian Wilson, Leon Russell, etc.).

Just having the classic recordings of The Ronettes (Be My Baby, Walkin' In The Rain, Baby I Love You), The Crystals, Darlene Love -- along with Ike and Tina Turner's "River Deep, Mountain High" (referred to by George Harrison as the greatest single ever made) and the complete "Phil Spector's Christmas Album" -- makes this collection indispensable!!!

$15 is about right.......2007-04-08

I have no idea whether Mr. Spector is guilty of the serious charges against him, but he stands convicted of allowing his retrospective box to be released with some of the muddiest, dullest mastering in memory. Sound-wise, a total mess. Of course, many of the tracks are indispensable.

60 classic "Spector" produced tunes + His Christmas Album You'll get your "Phil" here with this awesome 4 CD Set!!!.......2007-03-25

Absolute classic rock and roll!!! With that awesome "Wall Of Sound"!!! Phil Spector produced some of the greatest classic tunes in history,nuff said,forget about his recent problems with the law,it's the songs that matter,like the 60 ones(on the first three CD's) contained on this 4 CD set which also includes His classic: "A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector" (on the 4th CD)!!! Classic sides from The Teddy Bears,Ray Peterson,Ben E. King,Curtis Lee,The Crystals,Bob B. Soxx and The Blue Jeans,The Alley Cats,Darlene Love,Veronica,The Ronettes,The Treasures,The Righteous Brothers,The Modern Folk Quartet,Ike & Tina Turner,and Sonny Chareles and The Checkmates!!! Absolute essential listening!!! A delight for the ear!!! They just don't make great music like this anymore!!! Includes a beautiful full-color 96 page book and even a red and white "Back To Mono" button,just like the one Spector wore himself in his Santa Claus garb!!! Way to cool!!! Over 3 hours of the finest music ever waxed!!! I can't believe I found this superlative box set for less than 20 bucks,quite a bargain!!! Two thumbs up!!! Way up!!! Five stars!!! A+

Average customer rating:

Urban Blues w/ Maria in top form
Excellent Tribute with Awesome Backup
Good stuff
PAYING HER DUES , AGAIN

Naughty, Bawdy and Blue
Maria Muldaur
Manufacturer: Stony Plain Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Classic Female Vocal Blues | Blues | Styles | Music

General | Blues | Styles | Music

Acoustic Blues | Blues | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Heart of Mine: Love Songs of Bob Dylan
Richland Woman Blues
Sweet Lovin' Ol' Soul
A Woman Alone with the Blues (Remembering Peggy Lee)
30 Years of Maria Muldaur: I'm a Woman

ASIN: B000O591I8
Release Date: 2007-05-15

Tracks:

Down Home Blues
Up The Country Blues
Separation Blues
A Good Man Is Hard To Find
Handy Man
New Orleans Hop Scop Blues
Smile
TB Blues
One Hour Mama
Empty Bed Blues
Early Every Morn
Yonder Come The Blues

Amazon.com

Building on her Grammy-nominated collections of classic women's blues from the '20s through the '40s (Richland Woman Blues, 2001, and Sweet Lovin' Ol' Soul, 2005), jazz/blues chanteuse Maria Muldaur returns with Naughty, Bawdy & Blue. It's an apt title for a sassy group of songs originally recorded by Victoria Spivey (one of Muldaur's mentors), Alberta Hunter, Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey, and other female urban blues stylists the singer describes as "liberated socially, financially, and most of all sexually from the confines and mores of the times." Backed by the perfect fit of James Dapogny's Chicago Jazz Band, who often performed with Sippie Wallace and whose sound seems to have time-traveled without alteration, Muldaur moves through a dozen vaudeville blues numbers with integrity and authenticity, and never resorts to campy riffs or faux black dialect. Her expressive soprano has taken on a depth and heft through the years, and she's smart to deliver such suggestive lines as "I love the way he whips my cream" (from "Handy Man") or "He's a deep-sea diver with a stroke that can't go wrong" (from Smith's "Empty Bed Blues") with a subtle wink, preferring to let an insinuating trumpet chase home the joke. The album finds its highlight with "Separation Blues," a duet with Bonnie Raitt, who introduced Wallace to new audiences on her tours of the '70s and '80s. Muldaur and Raitt--corduroy and burlap--harmonize with the ease that comes from decades of friendship, and from the joy of preserving and appreciating one of America's purest musical forms. --Alanna Nash

Customer Reviews:

Urban Blues w/ Maria in top form.......2007-06-05

Thankfully there is someone carrying the torch to the Next Generation of music lovers. I can say, "Gee, I remember when I heard Alberta Hunter sing 'Handy Man' live in New York City." and count my blessings. Now there is someone who will keep these songs alive for others to discover.

The Chicago Jazz Band is one of the best bands I've heard in ages and they work hand in hand with Maria Muldaur. It's a shame this is just a single cd - they have enough material for a double, I'm sure.

I know there is that DRIVE to hit the ultimate cut of a song, but I think a second version of Empty Bed Blues wasn't quite necessary. I keep thinking there were two or three other songs that could have been used. Coming in at just a shade over 45 min. seems like a big tease.

Coming down to it - she's the best blues singer, she gathers the best musicians and arrangers around her. She just oozes sex appeal and she knows just what she's singing about.

Hopefully she's got a Naughty, Bawdy & Blues Pt. 2 up her sleeves.

Excellent Tribute with Awesome Backup.......2007-06-01

This album is great. I discovered her music back in college in the 90s, and she really is one of the best blues singers around. . .and amazingly productive putting out an album a year since Louisiana Love Call came out in 1992. She has done all types of genres of jazz and blues.

Naughty Bawdy & Blue is one of the best. The songs are mostly uptempo with a great backup of trumpets, trombones, clarinets, saloon style piano, etc. It is urban upscale blues of the 1920s and 1930s, a tribute to the great female singers of the era.

The songwriting is terrific. You don't get this kind of smart, bawdy, and often moving type of songwriting today. The Chicago Jazz Band brings an infectious mood to the songs.

In short: This is a really fun album of great songs, singing, and musicianship. I guarantee you will like it. It is one gem after another to the point you are disappointed when the album ends. My favorites: Down Home Blues, Up the Country Blues, Separation Blues (great duet with Bonnie Raitt), New Orleans Hop Scot Blues, TB Blues, One Hour Mama (very funny), and Yonder Come the Blues.

I cannot imagine anyone not liking this album. It makes me want to seek out the original singers and songwriters of these songs, which is exactly what a tribute album should do.

Good stuff.......2007-05-25

Just love the delicious old-time racey blues. The harmony with Bonnie Raite is so tight.

PAYING HER DUES , AGAIN.......2007-05-17

PAYING HER DUES, AGAIN

If you ever wondered who, if anyone, was going to carry on the tradition of great female blues singers now that the likes of Bessie Smith, Mamie Smith, Sippy Wallace and Memphis Minnie have long been gone from the scene look no further. As I pointed out in a review of her last album Sweet Lovin' Ol' Soul Maria Muldaur has paid her dues and here she is doing it all over again. This is the third album in series that she started in 2002 to cover the old great blues singers. In the present album she covers the above-mentioned singers and others in a style in which they would surely recognize their style. These are the classic female blues singers of the 1920's and 30's. Maria is in fast company but she does not miss a beat.

Pay particular attention to her rendition of Victoria Spivey's Handy Man and the covers of Sippy Wallace songs. Damn if Maria does not sound like that unfortunately not well known singer (Maria also covered a Wallace classic Don't Advertise Your Man on her last album).

I would also add that I had the pleasure of hearing some of the cuts on this album live in concert by Maria in Cambridge (one of her old stomping grounds in her youthful days with the Kweskin Jug Band back in the sixties) and she can still belt them out. If there is any truth in the assumption that former President Clinton was our first `black' president no one can deny that Maria is our first `black' classic blues singer. And has the stage presence, to boot. The tradition lives. Listen on.

Average customer rating:

There Were Three Men Came Out of The West
A True Five Star
One of the finest albums of all time
incredible, indelible, inventive
Great '60's Rock

John Barleycorn Must Die
Traffic
Manufacturer: Island
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Psychedelic Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

$7.99 and Under | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

Classic Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

Alternative Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

Jazz | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

$7.99 and Under | Prices | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Low Spark of High Heeled Boys
Blind Faith
Traffic
Shoot Out at the Fantasy Factory
Mr. Fantasy

ASIN: B000059T1E
Release Date: 2001-02-27

Tracks:

Glad
Freedom Rider
Empty Pages
I Just Want You To Know
Stranger To Himself
John Barleycorn
Every Mothers Son
Sittin' Here Thinkin' Of My Love

Amazon.com

Traffic's third studio album is also its third best, ranking below the band's superb second record (1968's Traffic) and its psychedelic debut (1968's Mr. Fantasy). The depth of those albums came from having two superior songwriters, Steve Winwood and Dave Mason; by John Barleycorn, Winwood was leading a trio that included Chris Wood on horns and Jim Capaldi on drums. Winwood now supplied guitar as well as keyboards, and songs such as "Glad" and "Freedom Rider" reflected the trio's fondness for instrumental jams. But the 1970 album is remembered most for the title tune, a traditional folk song blessed with one of the finest vocals of Winwood's long career. --John Milward

Customer Reviews:

There Were Three Men Came Out of The West.......2007-06-17

This is Traffic's third album, but Dave Mason has left to pursue a solo career, and it is mainly Steve Winwood, with help from Capaldi on drums, and Chris Wood on Sax, Flute, and Organ. A core trio, and in the studio they create a full sound, with just these three key players. It embraces a variety of styles, even for this eclectic group, ranging from the old English folk ballad, "John Barleycorn," to the jazzy R&B of "Glad."

"There were three men came out of the West,
Their fortunes for to try,
And these three men made a solemn vow:
John Barleycorn must die."

There are many versions of this folk ballad, some going back as far as 1465, and collected by Cecil Sharp from 1900 to 1910. There are between 100 and 140 versions, and in the one used by Traffic & Co., in spite of the solemn efforts of the three men to triumph over John Barleycorn, or distilled liquor, this was the outcome:

"And little Sir John and the nut-brown bowl,
And he's brandy in the glass;
And little Sir John and the nut-brown bowl,
Proved the strongest man at last."

Steve Winwood plays guitar on this, and Chris Wood plays flute. There are two vocalists, and I am guessing that it is Capaldi and Winwood. Not much percussion, and hard to sing when you're playing flute. There is a tambourine. Winwood seems to be deeply into this music, and the treatment sounds both ancient and modern.

"Glad" is an instrumental, and there is an extended jam, mostly piano and keyboards. Great drums, and a fat sax riff that is easy to play, but it sounds so cool, and ends on a very cool sounding trill. This is a great instrumental track, and the rest of the record veers between these two extremes. I really like this Traffic album for "Glad" and "John Barleycorn" but the rest ain't bad, either. Since those are my favorite Traffic songs, this is my favorite Traffic album.

"The huntsman, he can't hunt the fox,
Nor so loudly to blow his horn,
And the tinker he can't mend kettle nor pot,
Without a little Barleycorn."

A True Five Star.......2007-04-16

I was there when my older sisters listened to the vinyl version of Barleycorn on the turntable, back when the LP was only recently released. Even with the scratches and pops, the unique jazzy progressive flow of the music was immaculate. Needless to say, the re-mastering of what is already a true master may be redundant or gratuitious, but go ahead--make my day...stretch the limits of the human capacity to experience bliss. The other Amazon reviewers of this legendary work of art do not lie, are not using hyperbole, and do not exaggerate the point...this one goes to eleven...er, six...er, whatever.

One of the finest albums of all time.......2007-03-04

"John Barleycorn" has in common with much of the Beatles' work that -- even if you've listened to it a thousand times -- when you come back it sounds as fresh and new as the very first listening.

The entire album is great--and covers an amazing amount of "musical territory." It would be on my short list of nominees for "greatest album of all time."

Let me also add that I was fortunate enough to see the briefly-reunited Traffic at Columbia, MD's Merriweather Post Pavilion (the year may have been 1994), not too long after the release of their much-underrated "Far From Home" - a fine album in its own right. It was a concert for the ages. Among his many other talents, Winwood is a superb guitarist.

incredible, indelible, inventive.......2007-02-16

this is one of my favorite rock and roll (plus jazz and folk influenced) albums of all time.
it gets my vote as Traffic's best, but that's a tough call, for sure. what an amazing mix of
songs, styles, influences in a unique blend of music. never get tired of hearing the story
of poor John Barleycorn!

Great '60's Rock.......2007-01-11

Classic, creative rock by true stars of 1960's progressive music. Excellent blend of rock, folk, ballads, and a hint of improvisation. Some of Steve Winwood's best.

Average customer rating:

Soothing, calming and still works after 11 years!
Wonderful product
Good for babies, but a little depressing for adults.
highly recommended
Puts the entire family to sleep!!!!

On a Starry Night
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Windham Hill Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Alt-Country & Americana | Country | Styles | Music

Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music

General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

Brazil | South & Central America | International | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

Afro Brazilian | Latin Music | International | Styles | Music

Latin Pop | Latin Music | Styles | Music

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

Brazilian Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music

Latin Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Styles | Music

Solo Instrumental | New Age | Styles | Music

General | Children's Music | Styles | Music

Compilations | Children's Music | Styles | Music

Lullabies | Children's Music | Styles | Music

1990s | By Decade | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Blues | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | Children's Music | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Alt-Country & Americana | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Lullaby: A Collection
Planet Sleeps
Guitar Lullaby
Lullaby Favorites: Music for Little People
Golden Slumbers: A Father's Lullaby

ASIN: B000000NMK
Release Date: 1997-04-15

Tracks:

Common Threads - Bobby McFerrin
Japanese Music Box - George Winston
Suliram - Thea Suits-Silverman
Shiny Shell Lullaby - Keola Beamer
Montanhas No Ceu - Flora Purim
Suantrai - Nightnoise
Anjo Da Guarda - Airto Moreira
Little One Mine - Turtle Island String Quartet
Cancion De Cuna - Eliot Fisk
Sofdu Unga Astin Min - Richard Stoltzman And Family
Kumbaya - Paul Hanson/Tracy Silverman
Rock-A-Bye Baby - Jim Brickman
Tumbalalaika - Mike Marshall
Just Close Your Eyes - Billy Taylor
Bayushky Bayu - Debbra, Margot & Noah Schwartz
Brahms Lullaby - Mike Wollenberg
Here I Am - Tracy Silverman

Amazon.com

The party line on most Windham Hill products seems to be that it's either the greatest stuff since wave machines, or that it all sounds alike. On a Starry Night, with its collection of world songs and reputable artists such as Flora Purim, Airto Moreira, the Turtle Island String Quartet, and others, does lean toward a seamlessly understated, homogeneous quality that is broken only occasionally by Bobby McFerrin's piece and a couple of others. That said, there can hardly be a more mellow or sonorous album of kid's music anywhere. Starry Night could calm a nursery with no nurses; why, it could even soothe the pained yelps at the dog pound--and turn a freeway full of bumper-to-bumper sour pusses into pussycats. Effective? You've heard of mind control, haven't you? --Martin Keller

Customer Reviews:

Soothing, calming and still works after 11 years!.......2007-05-09

I bought this for my newborn daughter and she has fallen asleep to this just about every night of her life. In particular, we enjoy the 2 Brazilian songs as I am Portuguese (born there, raised here) and it's immensely enjoyable hearing songs in my native tongue as well as other languages. I have gifted this to several expectant parents and everyone loves it as much as I do. I highly recommend this CD.

Wonderful product.......2007-03-08

The songs on this CD are soothing and fantastic. My son loved them!

Good for babies, but a little depressing for adults........2007-02-12

The music is all good, but several of the songs are eerily reminiscent of the Schindler's List soundtrack.

highly recommended.......2006-12-30

we used this before our first arrived (to acquaint her with the music and hopefully create a positive association for her) and played it every night as part of her bed time routine. i fell asleep to the music as well as i could hear it on the monitor from her room. i can't describe how much i loved listening to the tracks and how good i feel about the success of our nightly routine. we keep the music on the ipod for "sleepy music" while traveling in the car. my now 4 year old daughter with "request" the CD when she is tired! i often give this as a baby shower gift.

Puts the entire family to sleep!!!!.......2006-11-14

I purchased On a Starry Night before our son was born. My husband listened to it and liked it so much that he started using it at bedtime himself. When we went into the hospital to deliver, the CD came with us. All of the nurses commented on how serene the music made our room feel. We've played it for our 2 month old son since birth. My entire family falls asleep this CD each night. It works so well, I don't know what the last few tracks sound like. This will be baby shower goft to all of my friends!!!

Average customer rating:

One of her best
If William Blake were alive today he would be Joni Mitchell
Joni gets spacy. I lose interest.
"Like me, she had a dream to fly"
One of my favorite albums

Hejira
Joni Mitchell
Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Contemporary | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

The Hissing of Summer Lawns
Court and Spark
Blue
For the Roses
Clouds

ASIN: B000002GYC
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Coyote
Amelia
Furry Sings The Blues
A Strange Boy
Hejira
Song For Sharon
Black Crow
Blue Motel Room
Refuge Of The Roads

Amazon.com essential recording

After the expanded instrumental scale and sonic experimentation of Court & Spark and The Hissing of Summer Lawns, Joni Mitchell reverses that flow for the more intimate, interior music on Hejira, which retracts the arranging style to focus on Mitchell's distinctive acoustic guitar and piano, and the brilliant, lyrical bass fantasias of fretless bass innovator Jaco Pastorius. Known for his furious, sometimes rococo figures beneath the music of Weather Report, Pastorius is tamed by Mitchell's cooler, more deliberate ballads: these meditations coax a far gentler, subdued lyricism from Pastorius, whose intricate bass counterpoints Mitchell's coolly elegant singing, especially on the sublime "Amelia," which transforms the mystery of Amelia Earheart into a parable of both feminism and romantic self-discovery. This isn't Mitchell at her most obviously ambitious, yet the depth of feeling, poetic reach, and musical confidence make this among the finest works in a very fine canon. --Sam Sutherland

Customer Reviews:

One of her best.......2007-06-08

The lilting sounds of her electric guitar and Jonis increasingly rich vocals make this one of her 5 star efforts in my book. Every track that you listen to invites a repeat.

If William Blake were alive today he would be Joni Mitchell.......2007-05-04

This disc is, quiet simply, a fully realized work of art. It is a diamond-studded gift to humanity from a Genius at the top of her game. There is not a single misstep. The poetry, the music, the instrumentation and arrangements blend seamlessly with the vocals to create an open doorway into the heart and mind of a fascinating woman. If one chooses to step inside one is profoundly and forever altered by the experience.

Joni gets spacy. I lose interest........2007-04-19

While the poetry is as sumptuous as ever, Hejira doesn't do it for me musically. Jaco Pastorius may be a phenomenal bass player, but here his instrument intrudes where it shouldn't, and Joni seems intent on conjuring up a more obvious darkness than her previous masterpieces. The angel is gone, replaced by a more world-weary and cynical chanteuse. There are a few interesting tracks but they pale compared to what has come before.

"Like me, she had a dream to fly".......2007-04-13

It's hard to say if many accurate reviews of Joni Mitchell's reverent 1976 album of the road Hejira have ever been written. People tend to laud it with bizarre superlatives - "her third 'poetic' album after Clouds and For The Roses!" "Her third masterpiece after Blue and Court and Spark!" "Her second album in her 'difficult' period after The Hissing Of Summer Lawns!" or "The album where it all began to fall apart." I don't think I agree with any of those, and listening to the meditative bass of her guitar in songs like "Amelia," it seems all that can really be said of Hejira and where it fits in Mitchell's canon is that it most certainly is the album in which her voice started to go, and also - and this has to be said - that it rides the borderline of being a little embarassing. Considering "Amelia," (in which Mitchell compares herself to Amelia Earhart), "Coyote (in which Mitchell contrasts herself to a coyote), and "Black Crow" (in which Mitchell compares herself to a crow), it begins to run the risk that Mitchell will pull up next to a gas station somewhere in Nebraska and write a plaintive melody about how she is similar to a squeegee. There's no escaping that, after Hissing of Summer Lawns, what Hejira most proved was that the beloved Mitchell of old was gone for good and that the new Mitchell was more beholden to her odder impulses in a manner that made her suffer melodically. Yet after owning Hejira for a couple of months, I can't get its rapt reverence of the highways out of my mind - her lyrics are at their astonishing best, whether describing walking past a wedding dress in Staten Island ("Song For Sharon") or being hit on by locals in a dive bar ("Coyote" - a favorite, defining lyric of the album from that song: "There's no telling how close to the bone and the skin and the eyes and the lips you can get/ and still feel so alone"). And the songs that truly grasp you right away only suck you in more on further listens - the whimsical "Blue Motel Room" proves Mitchell need not have mentioned, in 1974's "People's Parties," that she wished she had more sense of humor, the songs final verse revolves around a "peace talk, in a neutral cafe," and it charms with plaintive jazz classicism. "Amelia," that song comparing her to Amelia Earhart, is the one that grabs you instantly, and that's due to the awe in the lyrics, and that trademark Mitchell/ Jaco Pastorious guitar and bass interplay that sounds clunkier and slower than on all other records of Mitchell's, and seemingly marks the passing of lines on the highway. The song that brings the record into unforgettable focus, though, is "Refuge of the Roads," the final number in which the elation and freedom of the road turn into a vivid warmth. Mitchell's is often off on the record (How many can remember "A Strange Boy" or "Furry Sings The Blues"? I cannot), but at the point Mitchell arrives at that final "refuge" in "Roads" - the 'u' stretched to ecstatic oblivion - it becomes impossible not to admire and smile at Mitchell's "difficult" idiosyncrasies that made experiments like Hejira possible.

One of my favorite albums.......2007-03-13

Of all the albums I have heard over the years this is one of the best. I buy too many btw. Some discuss if earlier or later records by Joni are better. I love Mingus just as much as I love the 1st 3 or 4 albums where she used her amazing early material.

She, as shown in the documentary about her life and work, has always continued growing artistically and continued to take chances and make large changes. That is the sign of a superior artist. Few do it as well as she does.

I love her melodies, sense of rhythm and musical styles! Of course, she started as an amateur dancer and art student before getting into folk music almost by accident. Since then her work defies labels, a very good aspect of it.

I could go into detail about each track of this wonderful masterpiece but more than any one track, I have been touched by the whole, the way one song flows into the next.

Let me just mention that Fury Sings the Blues puts into poetry the injustices which black jazz and blues musicians faced and still face in the music business. A genius like Joni with her great sensitivity goes to the heart of the matter. Don't miss this one!

Average customer rating:

(4.5 stars) ignore the hissing of stupid critics: don't miss this one
Joni at Her Best
Joni Mitchell does Luis Bunuel
Worth 20 stars alone for the songs "Hissing of Summer Lawns and Harry's House"!
A world away....

The Hissing of Summer Lawns
Joni Mitchell
Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Canada | North America | International | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Contemporary | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Hejira
Court and Spark
For the Roses
Clouds
Don Juan's Reckless Daughter

ASIN: B000002GY2
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

In France They Kiss On Main Street
The Jungle Line
Edith And The Kingpin
Don't Interrupt The Sorrow
Shades Of Scarlett Conquering
The Hissing Of Summer Lawns
The Boho Dance
Harry's House/Centerpiece
Sweet Bird
Shadows And Light

Amazon.com

Court and Spark had earned Joni Mitchell mainstream pop acceptance, but its underlying spirit of discovery pushed her to risk new-found success with this edgier, experimental sequel released in 1975. Although the session crew is largely the same, and sleek jazz elements again abound, these songs find her introducing Burundi drums (on "The Jungle Line"), layering magisterial but forbidding vocal harmonies ("Shadows and Light"), and casting rueful shadows across the sun-dazed Southern California of the title song. Her daring promptly earned critical scorn and halted her commercial expansion, but the album's confident eclecticism and dark beauty have outlived that reception: from the safety of hindsight, Hissing was a promise to stay hungry and creatively adventurous, a promise kept then and now. --Sam Sutherland

Customer Reviews:

(4.5 stars) ignore the hissing of stupid critics: don't miss this one.......2007-07-13

A lot of people simply forget about Hissing: the critics hated it at the time, dismissing it as artsy pretense, and it's not like it shows up on many peoples' Greatest Album Ever lists or anything. Allow me to argue in its favor: it's as good as, if not better than, the much more acclaimed Court and Spark. I think the reason for the backlash was because it was jazzy, and critics dissing Joni just because she went jazz on them obviously means they're not bright enough to "get" this album, which I find odd because this isn't that hard to "get". Oh well, critics are stupid anyway. Rock on, Joni! Metaphorically speaking, that is. Right, so this has a bunch of good songs on it! Like "In France They Kiss on Main Street". Great, great lyrics, great, great guitar solo. Great song! So is her experiment with African tribal rhythms "The Jungle Line". You wouldn't expect Joni to do this, you know, but she does it well. She also does the a capella (mostly, you can hear a keyboard crop up here and there) performance "Shadows and Light" pretty well, though it's a bit long. And yes, there's a lot of jazzy stuff here, like the multi-part "Harry's House - Centerpiece", which has a fun blues piano solo; the folksy "Edith and the Kingpin"; and the ironic "Boho Dance" (well come on, when has the term "Boho" been used in a non-ironic sense?), which features the best lyrics on the album. So does "Don't Interrupt the Sorrow", which seems almost anti-religious to me, or at least anti-religious hypocrisy. To me the only weak songs are the ones that look to the past (title song; "Shades of Scarlett Conquering").

Joni at Her Best.......2007-04-19

Joni has famously quipped, supposedly to a fan attending one of her concerts who wanted her to sing one of her old songs, that "nobody ever asked Van Gogh to paint 'Starry Night' again." And maybe when she did she was thinking of the reception this album (which I see that most of the reviewers have given four or five stars to) received upon its release as the followup to "Court and Spark."

It's laughable that a work of genius like this, containing "On France They Kiss on Main Street," the title track, "Shades of Scarlett Conquering," "The Jungle Line," and the miraculous "Don't Interrupt the Sorrow" could have been branded as one of the worst albums of 1975 by "Rolling Stone"--but it was.

Now of course it's considered a masterpiece, and well it should be.

Joni Mitchell does Luis Bunuel.......2007-03-05

What is there to make of the Joni Mitchell that emerges on The Hissing Of Summer Lawns? This Joni Mitchell seems to have no connection with the Joni Mitchell who, up through Court and Spark, released the previous year, was in her creative peak, a winning streak that spurned out one perfect album after another (what artist working today could make albums the astonishing quality of Blue, For The Roses, and Court & Spark in succession?). Mitchell, it seems, was interested in taking her music in a very very different direction - the lyrics now are not the coherent, eloquent epistles of angst and regret, they are works of beat-poet stream of consciousness (this line starts "Don't Interrupt The Sorrow": Don't interrupt the sorrow/ Darn right/ In flames our prophet witches/ Be polite/ A room full of glasses/ He says "your notches liberation doll"/ And he chains me with that serpent/ To that ethiopian wall"), and the music itself wreaks of the Steely Dan 70's. The attempt? To say something in the vein of a Luis Bunuel about the stagnating complacency of the bourgeoisie. I didn't much care for that Joni Mitchell when I started listening to the record, as many people still don't - her less-transporting verse is a meaningless ramble and truthfully, even some of the great writing is lost in its song form. A song like, for example, "Edith and The Kingpin" might read like great morality tales, but is as far from memorable as the weakest of her material, and its opener, the single "In France They Kiss on Mainstream" is energetic enough, but is dying in search of a tune. Yet something struck me after a while - that middle section of the record! "Don't Interrupt the Sorrow," "Shades of Scarlet Conquering," "The Hissing of Summer Lawns," "The Boho Dance," "Harry's House/ Centerpiece" and "Sweet Bird" work with at least a fraction of the full conceptual and lyrical fire that Mitchell intend, and, in the case of "Hissing" and "Sweet Bird" allow Mitchell to fulfill a grander ideal with songs attempting more daring commentary and soaring past their already large intentions. It's a flawed record to be certain, but what works about The Hissing Of Summer Lawns is its ambition to be a work of great concept that, even when failing, makes you admire the drive.

Worth 20 stars alone for the songs "Hissing of Summer Lawns and Harry's House"!.......2007-02-26

I have been known to repeat those 2 songs over and over and over, better each time you hear them.. they are masterpieces of storytelling and vivid imagery. Could Joni, dear brilliant beautiful multi talented humble Joni be even greater? These songs are worth the price of the CD. And luckily there are all the other gorgeous songs too. How many superlative albums has this woman made? Is it every album!? I think nearly so. But this, this is a totally incredible mind altering experience. Put on your iPod headphones and let her lyrics and music take you places and show you things you have not ever heard or seen or at least not thought about consciously. If there was ever a complete artist, I would say Joni is the one.

A world away.... .......2007-01-23

Joni Mitchell was coming off of the well deserved success of " Court and Spark" as she entered the studio to fashion " Hissing". Considering the extensive self exploration Mitchell had put forth in earlier work, ranging from pictoral reflection ( "Ladies of the Canyon") to inside-out musical expression ( the irrefutable classic " Blue")then back again with astute, more mature searchings on " For the Roses" and " Court", this fan thinks she earned the right to turn the conversation from "I" to "You".

However, if one really looks at the lyrics on "Hissing", it's apparent that Mitchell didn't turn the lens completely away from herself. In fact, she was examining the decadence she sometimes found herself a part of, or at least in a position to analyze by proximity.

The first track, " In France They Kiss on the Main Street", champions early rock and roll like no other; the images of 50's youth steaming in the streets is vivid. The remainder of the disc explores religious symbolism, the male/female saga ( as would be expected by this point), metaphor as a tool for illustrating stage characters ripe with an overload of "herd" culture. Contrasts between extremes provide a scathing glimpse into the undercurrents of what passes for the ideal standard.

" The Jungle Line" is a pioneer. World music before Paul Simon and the others, using primitive artist Rousseau to paint a picture of urban blight, comparing it to society excess. The title track, as well as "Harry's House/Centerpiece" take on the claptrap of the American dream, offering different results. " Hissing's" leading lady remains planted, while " Harry's" longs for freedom. Males and females are skewered equally for superficial desires and complicit provocation. Metaphor and symbolism, as stated above, require full attention to truly absorb the arc of this album. Short attention spans will lose most of its significance. As a sidebar, the CD has been criticized for lack of melody, which is nonsense. There is so much musicianship the less attentive might have trouble with the nuance.

The juxtaposition between the bland comfort mainstream society provides and the courage it takes to be true to oneself and escape its trappings makes this a philosophical entree into seventies culture. Ahead of it's time, " Hissing" is a CD that changes the formula, but aren't artists given that license?

Average customer rating:

Concert for Bangledessh
The power of music
CD is missing DVD songs and vice versa...
It all started right here...
Probably the greatest amalgamation of musicians ever!

The Concert for Bangladesh
George Harrison
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Blues | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

India | India & Pakistan | International | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

General | Reggae | International | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music

Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Live Albums | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Live Albums | Pop | Styles | Music

Orchestral Pop | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

General | R&B | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Rock | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music

Country Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

Psychedelic Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Live Albums | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

The Concert for Bangladesh (Limited Deluxe Edition)
Living in the Material World (CD+DVD)
All Things Must Pass [DIGI-PAK EDITION]
Royal Albert Hall: London May 2-3-5-6 2005
Concert For George

ASIN: B000BF0D88
Release Date: 2005-10-25

Tracks:

Introduction
Bangla Dhun - Ravi Shankar
Wah-Wah
My Sweet Lord
Awaiting On You All
That's The Way God Planned It - Billy Preston
It Don't Come Easy - Ringo Starr
Beware Of Darkness
Band Introduction
While My Guitar Gently Weeps

Tracks:

Medley: Jumpin' Jack Flash/Young Blood - Leon Russell
Here Comes The Sun
A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall - Bob Dylan
It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry - Bob Dylan
Blowin' In The Wind - Bob Dylan
Mr. Tambourine Man - Bob Dylan
Just Like A Woman - Bob Dylan
Something
Bangla Desh
Love Minus Zero/No Limit - Bob Dylan

Amazon.com

Ravi Shankar planted the seed, but it was George Harrison who turned this historic benefit concert into reality. The publicity-shy former Beatle could've easily written a check and forgotten all about the matter--impoverished East Pakistani refugees stranded in India--but instead recruited some of his most talented and compassionate friends and created an event remembered as much for the quality of its music as the purity of its intent. (The two-part engagement itself raised $250,000.) The players include Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Billy Preston, Leon Russell, and Bob Dylan, while the backing band includes Jim Keltner, Klaus Voormann, and the up-and-coming Apple band Badfinger (Phil Spector and Harrison produced). The concert took place on August 1, 1971 at Madison Square Garden and was released as a triple-album boxed set that December and a feature film in 1972. That year, it won the Grammy for best album. The program begins with Shankar and his trio ("Bangla Dhun") and ends with a song Harrison wrote for the occasion ("Bangla Desh"). Highlights include Billy Preston's rousing "That's the Way God Planned It" and Dylan's heartfelt five-song set, starting with "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall." The remaster adds an additional Dylan track, "Love Minus Zero/No Limit," from the afternoon show. Although the cover art has been changed to a picture of Harrison, the original iconic image of a sad-eyed child remains prominent in the CD and DVD packaging. As with previous versions of The Concert for Bangladesh, all artist royalties go to UNICEF or, as Harrison notes in his band introduction, "Nobody's gettin' paid for anything." --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Amazon.com

George Harrison Photos

More from George Harrison

The Best of George Harrison
All Things Must Pass
Living in the Material World

Cloud Nine
Dark Horse Years 1976-1992
The Concert for Bangladesh DVD

Customer Reviews:

Concert for Bangledessh.......2007-05-14

Wow dose this bring me back it is sad that George n friends are all but forgotten by most
This show was epic and a wonderful snapshot in time

The power of music.......2007-05-13

Rock can always contribute to a gentle cause in a unique manner. Real good music. Excellent performances by the artists. Sensational late 60's -early 70's. Buy it and listen to it.

CD is missing DVD songs and vice versa..........2007-04-01

For sheer musical enjoyment, I give this five stars.
Wait, subtract one star for cynical marketing ploy:
The CD has an exclusive track Mr. Tambourine Man.
The DVD has two exclusive tracks, Come on in my kitchen, and If Not For You
Plenty of room to include these tracks on both formats,
but they want you to buy both the DVD and the CD versions.

It all started right here..........2007-03-12

There's so much material here to discuss I believe the best way to analyze this project would to talk about the high points and low points.
High-The opening of "Wah-Wah" is a tremendous intro into the show with Harrison doing an excellent job of kick starting the proceedings, greatly assisted by Jim Horn and his Hollywood Horns. Billy Preston's "That's The Way God Planned It," gives the show a nice lift, especially the rousing finale (where he is dancing, which is obviously not seen on a cd). Ringo's word-dropping rendition of "It Don't Come Easy" gave some humanity to the whole event and kept it real. Leon Russell"s "Jumpin' Jack Flash/Youngblood" medley brough some funk to a mostly Anglo show and let the musicians flex their muscles a little. And though Clapton doesn't remember it today since he was stoned then, the dueting between him and Harrison on "While My Guitar Gentle Weeps" was great to hear. And hearing Dylan give a disciplined, understated performance was pleasant as well. An overlooked item I think is Harrison's rendition of his biggest Beatle hit, "Something" even though he flubs the second verse a little.
Low-Did we really need such a long set of Ravi's music? As much as his performance was symbolic of what the event was, was this much Indian music necessary? I doubt very much if anyone who buys this today sits through all/any of it. Also, did Dylan need to have so many songs when the show was in desperate need of an edge? Badfinger, (who were more commercially accessible than either Preston or Russell) had the classic single "No Matter What" under their belt, had also just finished recording their most popular album and could've played a tune from that. This could have given the show a more rock 'n roll edge that it was missing. And the recording for this concert didn't do anyone any favors, remastered or not. The overall sound is still muddy. This only proves that new technology cannot improve what was recorded wrong in the first place. Plus, for some unknown reason, some of Harrison's comments have been edited out from the original version.
The best thing that can be said about "The Concert For Bangla-Desh" is that it was(and is)a template for all the other charity concerts that rock stars have given over the years(Farm-Aid, Band-Aid, Aid-Aid, Kampuchea, etc.). It all started right here.

Probably the greatest amalgamation of musicians ever!.......2007-02-21

As Jann Wenner said about this concert, this is the Wall Of Sound, and there is no better way to present the Wall Of Sound in a live setting than with the music of George Harrison. What else can I say about this that hasn't been said already. My only qualm with the album is that the cut up shortened version of "Wah-Wah" that completely neglects to include the amazing Jim Horn sax solo that is included in the movie.

Music Album:

Music Album

1. Righteous Life - Sergio Mendes
2. Midnight at the Oasis - Maria Muldaur
3. Whishful Thinking - 4hero
4. For You
5. First Day of Summer [#] - Valerie Etienne
6. Everything I Do With You
7. Jesse [Acoustic Version] - Mother Earth
8. Lady Montego
9. Vine of Happiness - Rotary Connection
10. Quicker Than You Know [#]
11. Percolator - Stereolab
12. People Make the World Go Round - Michael Jackson
13. Keep Your Heart Right - Terry Callier
14. Going Home [Acoustic Version]

The Best of George Harrison	All Things Must Pass	Living in the Material World
Cloud Nine	Dark Horse Years 1976-1992	The Concert for Bangladesh DVD